Could Netflix soon be available in the UAE?

ABU DHABI // Online broadcaster Netflix is advertising for staff in the Middle East amid speculation that it will launch in the UAE.

The popular streaming service has posted job vacancies on its website looking to expand its public relations operations in the region.

It plans to complete a global expansion by the end of next year, which would include any country in the Middle East in which it was legally allowed to operate, a spokesman said.

At the moment, Netflix can be viewed in the UAE only with a Virtual Private Network, or VPN.

Tareq Masarweh, a senior consultant with telecoms consultancy Ovum, said the presence of online streaming services such as Starz Play, IcFlix, Telly and OSN Play indicated that Netflix would not have regulatory problems.

“Its strong global brand and content library would be key differentiators,” Mr Masarweh said. “Netflix’s content library is one of the largest by far.”

The California company is the largest subscription video-on-demand service in the world, with more than 69 million subscribers in over 50 countries.

It owns the rights to a vast catalogue of movies and television shows, and produces its own hit series including House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and the rebooted Arrested Development.

It is not known how many people subscribe to existing streaming services, but Mr Masarweh believes the market is nowhere near its potential.

With the right strategy, companies such as Netflix could take advantage of this, with fast broadband speeds and the UAE’s demographic profile, he said.

“The UAE has a large multinational expatriate community, and it has a very high, if not the highest, penetration rate of credit cards in the region,” Mr Masarweh said.

“Not only that, but the average consumer enjoys a higher degree of content sophistication, as smart TVs, devices and consoles are widespread.”

esamoglou@thenational.ae

One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

How it works

Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Results

1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m

Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly

4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m

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UAE v Ireland

1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets

2nd ODI, January 12

3rd ODI, January 14

4th ODI, January 16

Gremio 1 Pachuca 0

Gremio Everton 95’

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